St Matthew School

1307 Lincolnshire Drive

Champaign, IL 61821

28 Reviews

School District
Grade

PK-8
Type

private

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Reviews

Submitted by parent on June 20, 2019

Our experience was very positive. No school is perfect, but it feels like home.
Submitted by parent on May 07, 2018

Excellent, very supportive environment with strong catholic values and rigorous academic environment.
Submitted by parent on November 30, 2017

Teacher and Principal have great opened minds.I think this school is great within this area!
Submitted by parent on July 11, 2017

We are highly dissatisfied with our experience at St. Matthew School. In my opinion the principal has a "my way or highway approach" to dealing with issues, and seems to vilify those who disagree with her.
Submitted by parent on February 22, 2017

We have 2 kids at St. Matts and have had an excellent experience. Experiences with the teachers have varied and we have our favorites but they have all done a great job with our kids. Interestingly, our oldest daughter has has told us at the end of each school year that the current teacher is her favorite of all time :)There's a good mix of activities that bring the parents and families into the school and I appreciate the amount of volunteering that they expect from the parents.I would highly recommend St. Matts to anyone interested in a Catholic education.
Submitted by other on August 23, 2016

To be fair, I made a lot of good friends and memories here. But, there were some pretty awful ones too. Favoritism and Elitism cripple the school's supposed Christian foundation. In third grade, I had a teacher that flat-out hated me. She refused to help me learn long division (still have problems to this day), and treated me as a second-class citizen compared to the rest of the class. I found out later that at a Parent Teacher conference, she had told my parents that I would grow up to become a "stoner". In 6th grade, my teacher was borderline racist toward my Korean friend, implying he did not know English by talking slow (he was born in Champaign). Finally, my teacher (who is still employed there) mocked me in front of the entire class and did whatever possible to ensure I had a miserable time. I got detentions for simply looking in the direction of someone talking while she was, and was even pinned guilty of bullying someone (who I was good friends with) by another student (who actually was the bully!) Worst of all, she immediately sided with the bully's story, with no evidence supporting that I had any involvement. The problems, however, are not just social. I have problems to this day in math, because of the teachers that did not treat me and teach me equal to my peers. I regret to say this, I really do, but I would prepare for major problems if you come to this school.
Submitted by other on August 19, 2016

Attended from 1995-2006. I credit the school and parish for instilling my moral compass and educational foundation. The educators and staff (many of which still there to this day) make a tremendous effort to connect with their students during and after their time at St. Matt's. I have had several teachers reach out to my friends and I during our times of achievement and accomplishments well into our twenties. Best academic experience one can ask for their children and family.
Submitted by parent on March 05, 2016

We have had children in the school for the past 6 years. I find that academically they are better than the public school options. More importantly, St. Matthew is teaching our children to be good people and giving members of society. They have been very responsive to academic and behavioral issues that have come up regarding our children. They take unkind acts very seriously. We would send them there again if we were starting over.
Submitted by parent on February 27, 2016

Dissatisfied with the teacher, and lack of support from the principal. Written requests for meetings go unanswered and phone calls are not returned. Without a superintendent there is no where else to turn.
Submitted by parent on July 26, 2015

Discipline problems could be the result of what appears to us to be favoritism practiced by some teachers and the principle. Might be helpful for there to be another person parents could voice their issues. Current leadership in our opinion falls short.
Submitted by parent on July 22, 2015

When we decided to send our child to a Catholic School, we were told the school was full. A month later, we found that the school was allowing other children in (in the same grade). I was never given an answer why this happened. I am very upset how we were treated.
Submitted by parent on May 05, 2015

When we decided to send our child to a private school, we thought he would receive a better education. We thought that by paying tuition somehow would ensure his safety. They say bullying happens in every school, but it is our feeling that a private school should be held to a higher standard of care.
Submitted by parent on October 23, 2014

St. Matthew school is wonderful. Our child has been a student there for seven years. He has excelled academically, spiritually and socially. The staff is great and the leadership provided by the principal and Pastor is fantastic. Our family would highly recommend St. Matthew school!
Submitted by parent on May 29, 2014

If we had to do it again we would have explored our options in the public school system, sent our children to CCD, and saved a lot of money. There is an elitist feeling to this school, and the bullies know how to put on an act. ALL of my friends' children went through the public school system, and are doing well today.
Submitted by parent on April 06, 2014

Unfortunately, we have not had a favorable experience at St. Matthew School. As a whole we feel there are just too many discipline problems with children being disrespectful to the teachers and each other. Obviously, every families experience is different, but this school was not a good fit for ours.
Submitted by parent on March 05, 2014

Our son is in kindergarten this year and we have had an excellent experience so far! He has 13 students in his class and has an amazing teacher who encourages and challenges them. The amount of parent-teacher contact and communication is wonderful as she is very accessible by phone, email, notes and in person. I have felt informed and involved since school began. He went to Next Generation Preschool for 3 years and St. Matthews School has picked-up right where Next Gen left-off academically. The overall atmosphere at the school is calm, respectful and happy. The amount of parent involvement during the school day and during after-school activities is great! Spiritually, the Word of God is interwoven in all that they do...how they treat others, how they apply themselves and how they can help those who are less fortunate. St. Matthews School seems to be the best of both worlds....it is very traditional in values while very progressive in academics, arts, sports and social issues. When I drop my son off at school, I trust that he is in good hands.
Submitted by parent on March 03, 2014

We love this school. From the atmosphere to the teachers to the principal, it is top-notch. Our kids get a great education, and most of all a Christ-centered experience. We couldn't ask for a better school for our two (soon to be three) kids at St. Matts.
Submitted by parent on March 03, 2014

St. Matthew School is one of the best schools in the area. We have had children in this school for the past eleven years. My children have been challenged to perform at the highest levels both spiritually and academically. Students are actively engaged in the learning process with little time spent off task. Our principal is professional and creates genuine relationships with the students. We have been thrilled with the education our children have received. We are also feel blessed to have met so many wonderful families that have shared this incredible journey. If you are looking for a school that has strong leadership, rigorous instruction, and active parent involvement-St Matthew is the place for you and your child!
Submitted by parent on March 02, 2014

St. Matthew School offers a high-quality education plus faith formation. The teachers and support staff are wonderful. They are always accessible and really care about the students. The teachers offer many opportunities for additional help before and after school. My eldest recently graduated from St. Matthew and is now attending a public high school. Thanks to the preparation he received at St. Matthew, he is now in accelerated courses at the public school and doing very well. St. Matthew School encourages parental involvement, and the parents club hosts family nights and opportunities for fellowship.
Submitted by parent on February 28, 2014

I currently have two children at St. Matthew School . I am very happy with the faith based education that they are provided. I feel like the teachers and principle go out of their way to provide a positive environment for learning. One year, my son came home sick on Valentines Day, and his teacher came to our house to give him the cards that the other students had made him. The principle is outside in front of the school every morning greeting the kids as they enter the building. She is in the lunchroom at every lunch, helping and monitoring recess. St. Matthew teaches children about volunteering and giving back to the community. The priests visit the classrooms weekly and there is a school Mass every Friday. To sum it up, St. Matthew is a wonderful school with a great student body, wonderful educators and a devoted clergy. I can't say enough good about this school. We love it!